About The Founder
The Whisperer Team has been created with love from South Australian humanitarian and entrepreneur Jonathan Hart.
The organisation connects hospitality staff, who already possess great communication skills, with knowledge of a safe, effective and free suicide prevention method.
The Whisperer Team's GLASS EMPTY Suicide Prevention Method, allows anyone to quickly recall peer-reviewed and evidence-based knowledge to SPEAK UP and get someone feeling safe, when they show SIGNS of suicide ideation.
However, it is not just limited to hospitality staff, but anyone with compassion, who can uphold the following values, in a TRICKY conversation around suicide.
Trust
Respect
Integrity
Confidentiality
Kindness
Your Good Self
The seed for this original Method of suicide prevention began in 2017, when Jonathan traveled Australia with his ex-wife and 4 children, filmed some iconic pubs and created the Great Aussie Pubs website.
When COVID hit Australian shores in 2020, he realised the bizarre rules to fight the "deadly virus", which included no drinking standing up, no dancing and no singing in the pub, would create more mental health problems across Australian communities.
And so the Pub Whisperer was born. An alter ego, to help bar staff and publicans, address the issue of suicide in the community with compassion, but also with a bit of Aussie irreverence.
Traditionally, Aussie's have never taken themself too seriously. And so it was a character that seemed to fit into Australian culture.
The Suicide Prevention Checklist, for bar staff to assist those presenting with Suicide Ideation, was created and two Pubs Supporting People Days were celebrated. But Jonathan knew he needed to do more.
In late 2024 Jonathan released the GLASS EMPTY Suicide Prevention Signal, Method, Coasters and Posters to assist communities across the globe.
And so now, with the help from the wider Community: pub, bar, club, brewery and cafe staff, as well as "Community Whisperers", can be confident to assist those struggling with mental health support, if suicide ideation is present.
Jonathan is a lived-experience survivor, having suffered suicide ideation and mental hospital admissions between 2008 and 2021. Were it not for conversations with his Dad and walks on the beach he may not be here today.
It's a comeback story and he hopes that anyone reading this, experiencing suicide ideation, can have one of their own too. Often it takes the right help, seeking answers to how they got themselves in a space of unwellness in the first place but with the right support, hope and optimism there can be breakthroughs.
Jonathan trusts that community-driven projects like The Whisperer Team will contribute to ending the stigma of mental ill health and make compassion cool, so that the suicide rate, which is currently one every 40 seconds around the world (9 people a day on average in Australia since 2020 - up from 8 a day) will reduce.
A personal approach to suicide prevention is ultimately what is needed, not just a clinical one, because suicide affects all corners of society.
If you'd like to be a part of The Whisperer Team, and be a Community Whisperer and/or get your local pub, bar, club, cafe or brewery on board, get in touch via the contact page, so that together we can save lives.
The organisation connects hospitality staff, who already possess great communication skills, with knowledge of a safe, effective and free suicide prevention method.
The Whisperer Team's GLASS EMPTY Suicide Prevention Method, allows anyone to quickly recall peer-reviewed and evidence-based knowledge to SPEAK UP and get someone feeling safe, when they show SIGNS of suicide ideation.
However, it is not just limited to hospitality staff, but anyone with compassion, who can uphold the following values, in a TRICKY conversation around suicide.
Trust
Respect
Integrity
Confidentiality
Kindness
Your Good Self
The seed for this original Method of suicide prevention began in 2017, when Jonathan traveled Australia with his ex-wife and 4 children, filmed some iconic pubs and created the Great Aussie Pubs website.
When COVID hit Australian shores in 2020, he realised the bizarre rules to fight the "deadly virus", which included no drinking standing up, no dancing and no singing in the pub, would create more mental health problems across Australian communities.
And so the Pub Whisperer was born. An alter ego, to help bar staff and publicans, address the issue of suicide in the community with compassion, but also with a bit of Aussie irreverence.
Traditionally, Aussie's have never taken themself too seriously. And so it was a character that seemed to fit into Australian culture.
The Suicide Prevention Checklist, for bar staff to assist those presenting with Suicide Ideation, was created and two Pubs Supporting People Days were celebrated. But Jonathan knew he needed to do more.
In late 2024 Jonathan released the GLASS EMPTY Suicide Prevention Signal, Method, Coasters and Posters to assist communities across the globe.
And so now, with the help from the wider Community: pub, bar, club, brewery and cafe staff, as well as "Community Whisperers", can be confident to assist those struggling with mental health support, if suicide ideation is present.
Jonathan is a lived-experience survivor, having suffered suicide ideation and mental hospital admissions between 2008 and 2021. Were it not for conversations with his Dad and walks on the beach he may not be here today.
It's a comeback story and he hopes that anyone reading this, experiencing suicide ideation, can have one of their own too. Often it takes the right help, seeking answers to how they got themselves in a space of unwellness in the first place but with the right support, hope and optimism there can be breakthroughs.
Jonathan trusts that community-driven projects like The Whisperer Team will contribute to ending the stigma of mental ill health and make compassion cool, so that the suicide rate, which is currently one every 40 seconds around the world (9 people a day on average in Australia since 2020 - up from 8 a day) will reduce.
A personal approach to suicide prevention is ultimately what is needed, not just a clinical one, because suicide affects all corners of society.
If you'd like to be a part of The Whisperer Team, and be a Community Whisperer and/or get your local pub, bar, club, cafe or brewery on board, get in touch via the contact page, so that together we can save lives.
Meet Community Champion Michelle Kemmler
As a strong and dedicated professional and community volunteer, Michelle is educated and experienced in a variety of areas.
With a long career in child care education for 25+ years, Michelle became an "accidental counsellor" and support person for many young people and their families.
This led to a passion for mental health & wellbeing.
After losing several people to suicide in 2015, Michelle focussed her attention on developing skills to support the community in suicide awareness and prevention, or as she likes to say, she wants to "Promote life".
Michelle volunteered as a Lifeline phone counsellor and was Chairperson of Let's Talk Onkaparinga suicide prevention network for several years.
As a Rotarian, she implemented & brought to life the idea of the Onkaparinga Seaside Walk, raising thousands of dollars and winning awards for the yearly events.
She has been nominated for several community awards for all that she does for her local & wider community.
More recently, Michelle has studied to become a life coach with additional certifications in trauma informed therapy and art therapy for coaches. She truly cares about people and their well being and likes to connect on a deeper level so she can support & guide people onto bigger & better things. Personal growth and learning new things is her key to the best version of YOU!!
Michelle operates a small home based business in Coaching & Healing practices.
Based on her education, skills, knowledge, and lived experience she is able to offer a variety of services including .
Creative therapy coaching sessions, Relaxation & Mindfulness sessions for Individuals & groups, Hypnotherapy, Group mental health awareness sessions, and Healing Sessions - Reiki, BARS and Tapping.
If you want to learn more, please follow this link to her social media profiles: Facebook & Instagram.
Michelle at I CARE Consulting, truly cares for people in her community.
With a long career in child care education for 25+ years, Michelle became an "accidental counsellor" and support person for many young people and their families.
This led to a passion for mental health & wellbeing.
After losing several people to suicide in 2015, Michelle focussed her attention on developing skills to support the community in suicide awareness and prevention, or as she likes to say, she wants to "Promote life".
Michelle volunteered as a Lifeline phone counsellor and was Chairperson of Let's Talk Onkaparinga suicide prevention network for several years.
As a Rotarian, she implemented & brought to life the idea of the Onkaparinga Seaside Walk, raising thousands of dollars and winning awards for the yearly events.
She has been nominated for several community awards for all that she does for her local & wider community.
More recently, Michelle has studied to become a life coach with additional certifications in trauma informed therapy and art therapy for coaches. She truly cares about people and their well being and likes to connect on a deeper level so she can support & guide people onto bigger & better things. Personal growth and learning new things is her key to the best version of YOU!!
Michelle operates a small home based business in Coaching & Healing practices.
Based on her education, skills, knowledge, and lived experience she is able to offer a variety of services including .
Creative therapy coaching sessions, Relaxation & Mindfulness sessions for Individuals & groups, Hypnotherapy, Group mental health awareness sessions, and Healing Sessions - Reiki, BARS and Tapping.
If you want to learn more, please follow this link to her social media profiles: Facebook & Instagram.
Michelle at I CARE Consulting, truly cares for people in her community.
